Vincent Kompany could make an early return from injury for Belgium’s match with Macedonia. Gareth Bale is back in training for Wales, Jack Wilshere may be ready to return to full training for Arsenal, while initial ankle scans suggest Steven Fletcher may be out for a month at least:
Vincent Kompany could be ready for a surprise return in time for Belgium’s World Cup qualifier with Macedonia tomorrow evening. The Man City skipper has reportedly trained for the past three days now without any reaction to his calf problem and Belgium boss Marc Wilmots told a press conference yesterday afternoon:
“I can’t say what is going to happen tomorrow, but I expect him to be 100 per cent fit. If he is able to train well on Monday, he will start on Tuesday. I first want to see that he is 100 per cent. He is the captain and he’s ready.”
The centre-half’s return would be a huge boost to Man City ahead of a potential double-header with neighbours United over the next couple of weeks. Kompany has been absent since mid-January and missed a run of six league games which has harvested just two wins – given that Robert Mancini’s side won all four league fixtures prior to his injury, it’s obvious how much their skipper’s absence has affected their title bid. If fit, then, Kompany will face Newcastle next Saturday before making his way to Old Trafford in the final match of Gameweek 32 on Monday April 8 as City look to grab a victory which would hand them a stay of execution in the title race.
In addition, if United beat Chelsea in the FA Cup Sixth Round Replay on Monday April 1, City would then square up to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side again on Sunday April 14, giving them a pair of fixtures against their rivals over six days. Given that City are all but out the title race, that second fixture looks the most crucial of the two as Mancini attempts to end the season with some silverware in what has been a disappointing campaign thus far.
According to reports in the Mirror, Jack Wilshere could be set to resume full training this week ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Reading. The midfielder missed the Champions League win away to Bayern Munich and league triumph over Swansea at the Liberty due to an ankle problem but, while he is believed to have improved after treatment, it’s suggested that he may still be sidelined for the next couple of league matches.
While Arsene Wenger is yet to roll out an update on the situation, the Mirror reckon Wilshere is pencilled in for a comeback in the first of Arsenal’s home games in double Gameweek 33, meaning he would not only miss the Royals’ clash but the following weekend’s trip to West Brom before returning to face Norwich on Saturday April 13. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain was fielded on the left of the attacking midfield three last time out due to an injury to Lukas Podolski – but with the German now fit and available, the youngster could switch to the opposite flank if Theo Walcott is sidelined with a pelvic problem, affording Santi Cazorla the chance to retain his role in “the hole” as the Spaniard looks to replicate the 23 point haul picked up against Reading in the reverse fixture back in Gameweek 17.
Gareth Bale returned to training for Wales yesterday, easing worries over his absence ahead of tomorrow evening’s match with Croatia. Subbed off at half-time in Friday evening’s win over Scotland, the Tottenham winger looks to have overcome the illness and ankle problems that curtailed his training time last week. While Chris Coleman has admitted he won’t take any chances over Bale, it looks like the Spurs man will declare himself fit and available; bad news for the 5,000+ FPL managers who perhaps sold him on after his withdrawal at Hampden Park.
While Bale may have recovered from his withdrawal on Friday evening, the same can’t be said for Steven Fletcher. The Sunderland forward was carried off with less than five minutes on the clock and reports are now suggesting there is a chance he may be out for the season. According to the Mail, scans on his ankle have revealed ligament damage after Fletcher fell awkwardly in a challenge with Ben Davies – Fletcher requires further scans to ascertain the full extent of the damage but it may well be that the best case scenario is a month on the sidelines. Already, over 13,000 FPL managers have moved him on, with a potential absence a huge blow for the Black Cats – Fletcher has notched 11 times already this term, more than twice any team mate bar Craig Gardner.
If, as expected, Fletcher is sidelined, Martin O’Neill may reassess his recent move to 4-4-2; new boy Danny Graham has yet to score since arriving on Wearside and with options scarce up top, O’Neill may call upon Connor Wickham to partner the former Swansea man if he persists with a 4-4-2. With Stephane Sessegnon also struggling due to a groin problem, the Black Cats face a daunting next few matches in their bid to beat the drop – just four points clear of the relegation zone, they now face United, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton in the following four Gameweeks.
